It's time to make the most of your doctor's visit

By now, you've probably heard the statistic that the average doctor's visit lasts just 15 to 20 minutes. In reality, if you face more health issues than the average patient, your doctor will likely spend more time with you; less if you are healthier than most. But regardless of the length of your visit, making the most of every minute you share with your doctor makes good health sense.

Despite the importance of your annual health exam, many people arrive at the doctor's office unprepared to ask questions and forget what the doctor has actually told them after they leave, notes Robert Berkow, M.D., editor in chief of Your Health Now, a consumer health magazine published by Merck & Co., Inc.

"The annual health exam is the best time to assess your overall health and establish a working relationship with your doctor," says Berkow. "Open communication with your physician during this exam can help identify potential health problems when they are still preventable and easily treatable."

Retaining information shared by your doctor, tracking your health goals and taking notes during visits can help you maximize the time spent with your doctor. You can also make the most of your appointment by following these suggestions:

 Prepare for your annual health exam by writing down any changes in your health or lifestyle since your last visit, any health concerns or problems you currently have, and questions about what preventative screening exams should be conducted.

 Prepare to discuss your past medical history. Few of us see the same doctor throughout our lives, so chances are your health practitioner will need you to fill in some important background about your health history.

 Be totally honest at the doctor's office. Exaggerating or downplaying symptoms will hinder the doctor's efforts to understand and diagnose any problem you may have. For example, don't be embarrassed if you didn't follow his advice last year to lose weight. Instead, take the opportunity to discuss nutrition and exercise.

 Remember to ask the doctor about any medicines you currently take, and any new medications you are prescribed. How long do you need to take the medicine? At what time of day? Will it interact with any other medications you take? What might happen if you miss a dose?

 Take notes during your visit or bring a family member or friend with you and ask them to take notes. This will help you recall in better detail the information and advice given by your doctor.

 Ask your doctor for brochures or pamphlets to help answer your questions, or ask where you can find more information about a topic on the Web.

 After your visit, call your doctor to obtain your results from any tests or exams and schedule a follow up visit if necessary.

"It's all a matter of preparation and open conversation," says Dr. Berkow. "By working in partnership with your doctor, you can help ensure that you receive the best healthcare possible."

To help patients prepare for their annual exam, Merck & Co., Inc. has published a new, free consumer resource - the "Guide to Making the Most of Your Annual Doctor's Visit," which provides tips and information to help foster better communication and more productive visits with your doctor. The guide includes information about recommended screening exams, how to prepare for a doctor's visit, questions to ask your doctor, what to do after your visit, and includes a notes section where you can record important information from your annual checkup about your medications and your health goals.

Merck is publishing the guide as a service to the community as part of its century-long commitment to providing unbiased health information to consumers and health professionals, which began with the publication of the first Merck Manual in 1899. The Merck Manual is the most widely used general health reference in the world.

To obtain a free copy of the "Guide to Making the Most of Your Annual Doctor's Visit" call (888) MERCK-38 (888-637-2538), or visit YourHealthNow.com.